Shamans greet visitors RACVB's new visitors center

While a large celebration occurred in the parking lot outside the new building for Cordell Construction Company, the Ridgecrest Area Visitors Bureau and H&R Block, a quieter ceremony occurred inside one of the businesses.

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By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted May. 11, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Updated May 13, 2013 at 1:51 PM

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted May 11, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Updated May 13, 2013 at 1:51 PM

While a large celebration occurred in the parking lot outside the new building for Cordell Construction Company, the Ridgecrest Area Visitors Bureau and H&R Block, a quieter ceremony occurred inside one of the businesses.

Edna Laytart and Howard Laire performed a blessing ceremony for both the RACVB's building and for the recently unveiled "Hunting Magic," a 12-foot sculpture of shamans created by local artist Skip Gorman.

Both Laytart and Laire performed the ritual with feathers and incense, filling the room with a sense of strong tradition and humility. In addition, Gorman and RACVB Executive Director received blessings as well.

But "Hunting Magic" was conceived long before its unveiling and blessing at Friday's open house.

Lueck, the RACVB director, said a lot went into "Hunting Magic" from conception to construction.

"There was a lot of excitement covering it up and waiting in anticipation until we pulled off the unveiling," Lueck said.

According to a statement from Gorman, the idea was born after Lueck requested the artist to come up with an idea to help showcase the RACVB Visitors Center a year ago.

When Gorman submitted an formal proposal in early 2013, he said the RACVB board liked the idea. Despite initial requests to some changes by the board and Lueck, he developed a shaman that would be backlit with diffused panels.

Laytart said she had blessed the sculpture prior to the Friday unveiling, and had been honored to bless it.

"I love Skip's work and saw it in pieces and it was magical, and when it came together it was even more so."

Laytart said there were a few steps involved in the blessing.

"I blessed Skip first because he was the creator of this masterpiece and then we put the piece together because visitors will be coming to this area from all over," she said.

Laytart said "Hunting Magic" would provide an excellent addition to the city, especially when the area had the largest concentration of petroglyphs in North America.

"I think this will be a focal point for people to stop and just look at before seeing what the canyons are like," she said.